A Microwave Gas Discharge Counter for the Detection of Ionizing Radiation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Characteristics of a gamma-ray counter making use of a 3000-megacycle gas discharge in a coaxial mode cavity resonator are described. The breakdown of a discharge in gases at these frequencies does not depend upon secondary effects. Since the breakdown is not controlled by positive ions, shorter breakdown and resolving times than those of a Geiger-Müller counter are realized. In the high frequency discharge, ambipolar diffusion is the controlling factor in loss of electrons. A d.c. clearing field is superimposed on the a.c. field to eliminate electrons rapidly. A quenching agent is present to suppress electron emission from positive ion bombardment of the walls. The discharge is extinguished by reducing the magnetron power electronically. The plateau and sensitivity characteristics are similar to those of a Geiger-Müller counter.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: